I should have written this post on 25 Jan, but better late than never. I cover how on 25 Jan 1975, our democratic experiment came to a halt, how it took 16 years of assassinations, coups, palace conspiracies, rigged elections, and street violence, to start a second bout of democratic journey, which lapsed for a couple of years in late 2006 / early 2007. On this 25 Jan, we started another round of democratic experiment. I believe we are where we would have been in Jan 2007 had the democratic path not been interrupted. It is important to realise that despite the rhetoric, not much has fundamentally changed in our politics. Using two individuals’ political journeys, since the ‘original’ 25 Jan, I try to show how best we can chart the future path of our democratic experiment.
January 30, 2009
January 28, 2009
On the upazilla election
In different threads, readers have asked that we write about the upazilla election. The majority view is that there were significant malpractices in these elections. The media reports certainly point to malpractices — intimidations of voters and opposition members, by the ruling party, including a sitting MP and a serving minister has been reported. The allegations, if true, are condemnable with no ifs and buts. It will be a good test of the Election Commission’s alleged independence and the government’s sincerity to see if the allegations are examined and redressed. But these reports are widely available in the media, and there isn’t really much else to say about them. Instead, I will write about a couple of questions that have puzzled me.
January 17, 2009
Election related activism
With comrades from Drishtipat, I worked in a number of projects before and after the election. Some of these are linked over the fold.
Back to blogging
To be sure, I didn’t quite stop blogging. I’ve linked my UV posts below. I was also involved with some other election related activities (posted, when appropriate). I’ll also do a second instalment of random Dhaka ramblings. After that, regular posts will commence.
January 7, 2009
The third Awami League government: a gutsy start to din bodol and the political mathematics of zero
I have been living in the outskirts of Dhaka for the past week, hearing jackals every evening, and waking up every morning with the symphony of birds. While I can now claim to be inspired by Farhad Mazhar (or is it that line from Jibon Theke Neoa – Desh ke bhalobashle grame jete hoi?), this rural touch means poor internet and limited power. So I missed the liveblogging of the cabinet last night. Just as well, because this gave me some time to collect my thoughts on the beginning of the third Awami League government. I would very much like to have written an unambiguous endorsement. And there are lots of things to endorse. Sadly, I fear all the good may yet come to nothing unless strong steps are taken to contain the party’s local excesses.
January 5, 2009
It’s time to break the cycle
After the landslide victory in 2001, there were grounds for optimism that the incoming BNP government would qualitatively improve our politics. It had a set of experienced ministers, and a large number of young MPs. It had the opportunity to learn from the successes and failures of the two previously elected governments. But unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the hopes of better governance from BNP were dashed. At the national level, the 60 member cabinet and two war criminals in high profile posts raised a lot of controversy. But at local levels, it was the series of revenge attacks, intimidation, arson, and most gruesomely rapes of AL workers, supporters, and family members that showed what was to come. And then started the dokhols — every institution from the Banga Bhaban to the local library had to pay homage to the BNP high command.
